Liverpool 3-3 Manchester United April 1988

In the pre-sanitisation world of 1980s football, contests between Liverpool and Manchester United, particularly at Anfield, were so hate-filled that they should probably have occurred after the watershed. No matter how many titles they won, Liverpool always had a problem with United, and beat them just once at Anfield in the league all decade.

Pele called football the beautiful game and while he was no doubt accurate in his description he probably wasn’t referring to a colossus from the Shankill Road in Northern Ireland, doing battle with a Scouser from Halewood one day at Anfield.

While Whiteside was playing big part in United revolution as both a striker and in midfield, over in Merseyside Steve McMahon was making a name for himself as a tough combative midfielder who, like his Northern Irish counterpart, had the ability to both destroy and create.

Easter Monday, April 4, 1988: United are down to ten men following a sending off and McMahon, who had just made it 3-1, is cocky in midfield. 

Fergie knows what is needed and sends Stormin’ Norman on for a bit of Scousebusting.

Norman enters the fray and within seconds has elbowed John Barnes in the windpipe and planted a firm eight-studded hello onto the left shin of McMahon. United mount a stirring comeback with Robson and Strachan providing the goals. Yet it's Big Norm's grand entrance and subsequent bossing of the game that endures in Mancunian folklore.

United fans remember Norman for many things, his screamer against Everton in the 1985 FA Cup final, his arrival in the first team at such a young age and countless impressive performances. For many though it will be that afternoon at Anfield when Liverpool’s bravado and arrogance was booted out of them- quite literally- as Whiteside reminded McMahon and his teammates, who was boss.